Built for the Journey of the Fellowship collaborative at Brickworld 2011.

About this creation

Being invited to this project was quite and honor, but also a responsibility. After the MOColympics, I must admit to being a bit burned out. However, I had committed to be part of this collaborative at Brickworld 2010. What I didn't know then was that I would be starting grad school in January while working full time.

My co-collaborators began working furiously on their builds while I sat with the daunting task of building the upper half of Minas Tirith; that's right true believers, I was supposed to work with the illustrious Mark Kelso! I soon realized that this was far to daunting of a task for yours truly and asked Mr. Chris Phipson if I could switch with him and take on some elvish architecture (he graciously agreed).

So, the months went on and WIP pictures were shared over email. Meanwhile, I had little to no time to build. I'm fairly sure everyone thought I might flake. I planned to start on my Spring break in late March, but ended up having way too much fun doing other things. One weekend in late April, I finally sat down and started to plan. I found a few images and came up with a basic idea. This is one of the first builds I've even done any kind of sketch for.

The major theme was the balance of organic architecture with the natural surrounding world. The plan I drew up included the shape of the rock structure I would build atop and three buildings. Following the great Bryan Hanley's 6 step plan for castle building, I began by laying out some BURPs to get an idea for the shape. The 1x2 brick and cylinder technique was used for the curved wall that would face the 'front' edge. I had some great help and moral support from a friend in creating the 'rock vomit' on the edges. One day of building and the skeleton was complete!

The next step was to cover the irregular shape with plates on which to build. The entirety of the understructure is actually hollow, with no supports. A VERY sturdy plate top was constructed with the help of one of the students I tutor on Saturdays (thanks George). The next step was vegetation, because I really was afraid to start on the buildings. I used a three sided technique for the trees, it's not very stable, but creates a wonderful curved effect. The trees remained to the side waiting to be placed among the buildings.

The buildings began construction in mid-May. I looked at some of the reference photos for ideas, but they were generally of my own design. I tried to create a balance of structure and open space. The architecture was quite challenging, particularly the roofs. I tried to incorporate as many natural forms, curves and texture as possible.

Finishing up the school year used up quite a bit of time and I was building right up until the Sunday before Brickworld. I still had not shared ANY WIP photos with my co-collaborators, but had assured them it would be completed. The build never actually stood complete until it arrived at Brickworld.

None of the buildings were build directly on the base, each one had a specific location and a few jumper plates to connect to. Everything was carefully wrapped up and transported to Wheeling on Thursday. The base was a little bit perilous to move because of the lack of understructure, however it made the trip quite nicely. The buildings were place and the vegetation and water effect was added on site. The pictures you see are the only time the build was intact, so please excuse the background noise.

It was wonderful to see my small part of the collaboration among the amazing builds of my peers. I was honored to have Rivendell nominated in the Best Large Building category and to stand against a build as epic as Barad-dûr by Kevin Walter. I learned a great deal from this build and was very pleased with the result, I hope you enjoy looking at it as much as I enjoyed building it.

Front edge

Rivendell from above

Another top view

This view was the most similar to the reference photos I looked at

The view of the river as it flows among the buildings

Waterfall effect

Back edge with conifer

More of the back edge

Aragorn entering from the east structure

Legolas and Gimli along the cobblestone path

By now we've seen many photographs of the Journey of the Fellowship collaborative build, but here's my version. We as a community should celebrate what MOCpages was able to accomplish. It was an honor to build along side Tyler & Mike Halliwell, Leda Kat, Lee, Danette, Maddie & Dano Jones, Dennis, Mitzi and Kelsey Price, Chris Phipson, Shannon Ocean, Mark Kelso, Mr. Bones, Dave Sterling, Heath Flor, Anthony Dunne and Kevin Walter. Thank you to all of you for allowing me the privilege of being part of this group.

Bag End by Tyler Halliwell

At the Sign of the Prancing Pony by Leda Kat

The Black Riders by the collaborative

Rivendell

The Mines of Moria by Lee Jones

Isengard by Chris Phipson

Treebeard by Shannon Ocean

Edoras by Dennis Price

Helm's Deep by Tyler Halliwell

Minas Tirith by Mark Kelso, Chris Phipson etc.

The Orc Army by the Jones family etc.

Minas Morgul by Dave Sterling

The Black Gate by Heath Flor

Mt. Doom by Anthony Dunne

Barad-dûr by Kevin Walter

Oh, don't worry about Rivendell not winning, I was very pleased and honored to accept this award for my Lego Dissected Frog

So Amazing!!!! Your Rivendell is a real Masterpiece, and it is one of the most beautiful Lego creations I have seen.

I like it

Carlo Brunelli

February 1, 2013

"One does not simply...make a Lego Rivendell"
-Boromir-
Great work very well

I like it

Mark E

June 23, 2012

I love how the trees, plants, rocks, and the building blend together in such a seamless fashion. With Lego it is very very hard to get the organic lines, and flow that you can while drawing, but it looks like you did the absolute best that can be accomplished with the brick. Keep up the good work man.

I just realized I didn't comment on this. Beautiful work as always! I see that you have the Helm's Deep picture of Aragorn and GImli that Bart had wanted to see and I told him didn't exist. You sneaky one!

If there was a rating higher than five, I would give it...this is truly spectacular work...by far my favorite set on this site so far...you have paid perfect attention to detail with this...I was watching the movie when I first looked at this and it is all spot on...sets like this are what make legos fun

I wasnt fortunate enough to go but from what I have seen on here it looks like it was amazing. I wish you would have put more pics of Rivendell up because I am going to make one soon and I need all the inspiriation and ideas I can get.

First of all, detective, congratulations on winning with your dead frog, hehehe. Thank you for sharing the story behind your amazing Rivedell MOC. You managed to capture the vibrancy of the original movie architecture, which for sure wasn't an easy task. There's much to learn from you here.

Man, this was one of the builds I was dying to see for months before the con. *sigh* I knew it was going to be a stunner, and you didn't disappoint. Beautiful architectural design, and the composition is perfection from every angle. Beautiful work, Dave!

This build was so enchanting and beautiful, I didn't realise you cut it so close with the deadline! Nice effort man, you obviously work miracles under pressure. There was so many nice details in this build, it was delicate and subtle and very calming to look at.

I like it

Thoy Bradley

June 26, 2011

In true Kaleta style man! This really impressed me when I saw all the BW'11 posts! Its like your MO Final all over again! Brilliant building as always Dave! ~Thoy

I like it

AA (Noname)

June 26, 2011

As I said before, each and every creation in the project is (I mean, was) a masterpiece. Great job.

Dave, it was a pleasure to see your excellent Rivendell on BW (I was so curious about all the time during our mail-preperations) and even more excited to meet you finally! Thank you, I've learned a lot from your builds! - Kevin

I absolutely love this! You really captured the feel of elvish architecture. Congrats on the trophy for the frog; a truly worthy creation!
BTW, great reference to Eggy's 6 steps; seeing as I need help with castle stuff, I'll have to give it a try! =P ~H

Quoting Connor Simpson
Also, you mentioned something called "Brian Hanley's 6 steps to castle building," and I was wondering what exactly those are, as I am not very good at castles, yet want to improve. Brilliant work.

Incredible job on this, it is a work of art. The waterfalls and many strings add a cloud-like lightness and grace to the whole structure that really captures Rivendell. Also, you mentioned something called "Brian Hanley's 6 steps to castle building," and I was wondering what exactly those are, as I am not very good at castles, yet want to improve. Brilliant work.